First Sniff: Quartana’s Forest of a Golden Dream
I am just so mad at myself right now! As someone who absolutely adores green fragrances, I knew deep down I was gonna love Quartana’s Forest of a Golden Dream. I have no idea why in this world I let this sample that arrived with my Beaut’Air purchase (maybe that was all the way back in April?) sit around until September. It’s a mistake I won’t be making again. My familiarity with Quartana should have been reason enough to try it immediately; this is a house I truly appreciate, one of my most favorite American luxury perfume brands. They just have a way of eloquently applying a more avant garde style to perfumery with innovative perfumers and high quality ingredients.
I often tell people that to really get the meaning of my words, they need to read them in a southern accent. I kinda apply the same concept whenever I read the list of notes in a fragrance. Sometimes, I can almost smell the imagined scent in mind. I wont say I’m all that accurate, but sometimes it’s way closer than expected. Looking at the notes for Forest of a Golden Dream, my mind’s nose sensed a vivid, spicy green forest.
My First Sniff Impressions
The reality of this fragrance is even more beautiful than I had imagined. It’s not quite as spicy as I expected, but that’s of no consequence to me at all. There is a slight, vibrant hint of spiciness in the opening. I expect this is that fruity pink pepper warmed up with some smooth cardamom. It’s a fleeting introduction that mellows beautifully into the heart.
The heart is this divine French mimosa with a touch of delicate sweetness that adds this golden, sensual quality to the forest floor created with the Siberian Pine and Fir Balsam. For me, it’s really the floral touch that elevates this fragrance from something photorealistic to something more poetic. By the time the dry-down arrives, I’m left with this cool, creamy, earthy goodness that has me mesmerized. This supporting base of woods and moss is utterly gorgeous.
Final Thoughts on a Golden Dream
Created by perfumer Celine Barel, Forest of the Golden Dream is the debut fragrance for Quartana’s Les Potions D’Entéléchie collection, inspired by healing rituals. Which I totally get. The brand aptly describes it as an Evergreen ‘Memento Vitae’ and I completely agree. Wearing the scent, today has felt beautiful, uplifting, and full of good spirit!
My only regret I not sniffing it sooner, as its excellent performance in today’s higher temperatures assures me it’s perfect for spring and summer. With that said, I don’t see myself tucking it away in winter. During cooler temps I am imagining it could be a great accent for layering with some heavier notes. This is not the usual direction I take regarding scent. You could say that it’s not only beautiful, it’s an inspiring scent as well.
